End Times and Current Events
March 28, 2024, 09:39:00 am
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39 (KJB)
 
  Home Help Search Gallery Staff List Login Register  

Not Your Average Church

Shoutbox
March 27, 2024, 12:55:24 pm Mark says: Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked  When Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida began a speech marking the 100th day of the war in Gaza, one confounding yet eye-opening proclamation escaped the headlines. Listing the motives for the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, he accused Jews of "bringing red cows" to the Holy Land.
December 31, 2022, 10:08:58 am NilsFor1611 says: blessings
August 08, 2018, 02:38:10 am suzytr says: Hello, any good churches in the Sacto, CA area, also looking in Reno NV, thanks in advance and God Bless you Smiley
January 29, 2018, 01:21:57 am Christian40 says: It will be interesting to see what happens this year Israel being 70 years as a modern nation may 14 2018
October 17, 2017, 01:25:20 am Christian40 says: It is good to type Mark is here again!  Smiley
October 16, 2017, 03:28:18 am Christian40 says: anyone else thinking that time is accelerating now? it seems im doing days in shorter time now is time being affected in some way?
September 24, 2017, 10:45:16 pm Psalm 51:17 says: The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the league rulebook. It states: “The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
September 20, 2017, 04:32:32 am Christian40 says: "The most popular Hepatitis B vaccine is nothing short of a witch’s brew including aluminum, formaldehyde, yeast, amino acids, and soy. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that destroys cellular metabolism and function. Hundreds of studies link to the ravaging effects of aluminum. The other proteins and formaldehyde serve to activate the immune system and open up the blood-brain barrier. This is NOT a good thing."
http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-08-11-new-fda-approved-hepatitis-b-vaccine-found-to-increase-heart-attack-risk-by-700.html
September 19, 2017, 03:59:21 am Christian40 says: bbc international did a video about there street preaching they are good witnesses
September 14, 2017, 08:06:04 am Psalm 51:17 says: bro Mark Hunter on YT has some good, edifying stuff too.
View Shout History
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Not Your Average Church  (Read 4172 times)
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« on: January 20, 2013, 05:36:09 am »

Not Your Average Church

Here’s something you don’t see everyday at a church–a fitness center, coffee shop and a bookstore.  A church near Milton has all of that–and more…and it is not just for church members.

Christ Wesleyan Church off Route 254 is no longer just a place of worship.  The new 27,000 square foot addition has a fitness center, a children’s jungle gym, a christian bookstore and a cafe that seats more than 100 people.  The new facility celebrates its grand opening this weekend.

When you grab lunch or a cup of coffee at “The Well”, near Milton, you may think you are in a large city.  But you’re not…you are actually inside a church!

“We have all the specialty coffee drinks, teas, blended coffee drinks.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner which are served all day long,” Business and Recreation Director Jed Epler said.

Christ Wesleyan Church near Milton recently added a 27,000 square foot addition featuring this coffee shop and a christian bookstore, which is one of the only ones in this area.  The church also has a fitness center, a youth center and more.

“Living in Central Pennsylvania there aren’t a lot of options.  So this provides that kind of option for lots of people,” Pastor Arlie Davis said.

Pastor Arlie Davis gave Newswatch 16 the grand tour of the $4 million expansion project. Christ Wesleyan Church has around 1,500 members, but the new amenities are open to anyone.  The fitness center costs $10 a month to work out.

“We already realize it’s not going to be a money-maker, and that’s not our intent.  Our intent is really that we can provide a service to our church community and our larger community as well,” Pastor Davis said.

One of the busiest areas in the expansion is the Kids Cube.  Pastor says at any given time there are dozens of kids going through the large jungle gym.  It works out great because their parents can sit outside and watch them.

“We love it. You can sit here and watch your kids play and talk with moms.  It’s really nice,” Justina Hinkle said.

“My granddaughter goes to kindergarten here at Meadowbrook Christian School so I come down here and hang out and get coffee, visit with friends and read,” Janet Bowersox said.

The coffee shop, fitness center and christian bookstore have been open since the end of July, but the official grand opening of the facility is this weekend.  There will be live music, a volleyball tournament and more.

http://wnep.com/2013/01/17/not-your-average-church/?utm_source=feedburner&utm
Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2013, 08:23:54 am »


Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
Kilika
Guest
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2013, 04:45:56 am »

What was that? At first, I thought it was a satire or parody.  Was that a real commercial?
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2013, 09:42:05 am »

What was that? At first, I thought it was a satire or parody.  Was that a real commercial?

No it IS real! There are ALOT of megachurches here in TX and Ive been
in one of them.

Yeah, churchianity is very bad, but you ain't seen nothin yet if you've
never been in these megachurches!

Btw, look at the symbols for this church logo at the end of this ad.
The wavy line looks like a serpent, and the W, turn it upside down and
it looks exactly like an M, which could stand for masonry.
Report Spam   Logged
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2013, 10:34:08 am »

What was that? At first, I thought it was a satire or parody.  Was that a real commercial?

well its real in that every church you go to is like that to a degree or another.
Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
ipso facto
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7



View Profile
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2013, 11:51:43 am »

john 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2013, 01:07:02 am »

The church like Corinth?

1 Corinthians 5:
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2013, 09:11:40 pm »

This Pastor will handle snakes



"Young pastor Andrew Hamblin CNN interview. Mark 16 believer, taking up serpents. An East TN serpent handler. These signs shall follow those that believe."
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2013, 09:42:45 pm »

The local First Baptist in my city recently attended a Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk function.

Aren't "conservative" Baptist Christians supposed to be heavily anti-abortion/pro-family? Forget their Churchianity doctrines, b/c at least they've held to these values for a long, long time.

Guess you can chalk up this one as "not your average church".
Report Spam   Logged
Kilika
Guest
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2013, 01:58:29 am »

This Pastor will handle snakes



"Young pastor Andrew Hamblin CNN interview. Mark 16 believer, taking up serpents. An East TN serpent handler. These signs shall follow those that believe."


 Grin Bet you never seen anything like that before down under!

My mother remembers as a child occasionally attending Primitive Baptist churches where they handled snakes in services. And apparently I have in my genealogy 2 brothers in my dad's line that were Primitive Baptist preachers in Kentucky back in the late 1700's. I'm guessing they did it too. But then I found 3 distant relatives that owned slaves as well, so I can't say my family has the best history!
Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2013, 09:33:09 pm »

Grin Bet you never seen anything like that before down under!

There are lots of poisonous snakes in Australia, i haven't picked up a live one yet and i haven't thought of taking one to a congregation of saints to entertain people but perhaps that is a real Biblical thing i could do right? Wink

My mother remembers as a child occasionally attending Primitive Baptist churches where they handled snakes in services. And apparently I have in my genealogy 2 brothers in my dad's line that were Primitive Baptist preachers in Kentucky back in the late 1700's. I'm guessing they did it too. But then I found 3 distant relatives that owned slaves as well, so I can't say my family has the best history!

a snake is a good witnessing tool i mean come on, we should all have them wrapped around us as we preach to the lost, yeah Cheesy
Report Spam   Logged
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2013, 04:09:51 am »

This Pastor will handle snakes



"Young pastor Andrew Hamblin CNN interview. Mark 16 believer, taking up serpents. An East TN serpent handler. These signs shall follow those that believe."


No sir, you are not Christian. You are demon possessed charismatics. That is why you are jerking back and forth and uttering that strange sound after you speak. Your demon worshiping congregation is seen doing the same thing. You really are a house of vipers.

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." —Matthew 24:11

    "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." —2nd Corinthians 11:13-15.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2013, 04:13:42 am by Mark » Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2013, 10:38:01 am »

Here in my neighborhood, there's a student or 2, in particular 1 student at the local university, that insists on parking in the neighborhood(near our house) b/c obviously he wants to save a few bucks from buying a parking decal at the univ. Yeah, I can emphathize with him as students' budgets are stretched thin, but nonetheless a parking decal is ONLY nothing more than a few or so extra bucks(if you know what I mean here).

Anyhow - there's a pastor of a local church in town that lets him park in front of his house b/c he insists how as a pastor(and Christians) we need to love others like this.

Well, for one, it's not good for outsider students park all over the neighborhood in front of people's homes b/c quite simply, it's not good for the neighborhood and neighbors(ie-takes up alot of space, and harder for people in the neighborhood to get around. And also not respectful for people at the univ just to park wherever they want to). If let's say the students park at a family member's house, that's fine, different story.

Yeah, this pastor probably has that Churchianity mindset(his church has the word "Community" in their name, a big red flag) - but nonetheless if he thinks just letting some stranger just park in front of his house is showing love, has he even read his bible? Shouldn't he be showing love toward his neighbor homes being a pastor, and being an example? And for that matter too, why not preach the gospel to that guy he's letting parking in front of his house?

Any thoughts on this pastor and what he's doing?

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.


1Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Report Spam   Logged
Kilika
Guest
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2013, 04:50:08 pm »

Nothing other than he needs to examine himself whether he's in the faith.
Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2013, 01:38:26 am »


Any thoughts on this pastor and what he's doing?


An interesting case, some people could get saved in this scenario? i hope and pray that some lost people get saved somehow.
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2013, 05:53:32 pm »

Just wondering - is church "membership" even biblical to begin with? Through my experiences in the modern-day church system, it's like a process - first you get saved, then when you're "sure" you're "ready"-you get your water baptism weeks later, then you're eligible for church membership. Uhm...didn't Paul say in Corinthians that we need to examine ourselves daily whether we be in the faith? Didn't Jesus say to search the scriptures to see if we have eternal life? Pt being that it's as if the modern-day church system, whether they realize it or not, acts like getting saved takes time to finalize. I mean you don't get your water baptism until you're SURE YOU'RE SAVED?

Also - the typical Churchianity SBC pastor nowdays will say how Christians need to be in church all day on Sundays(and come on Wednesdays), while avoiding all the "idolotries" like sports and movies. But en yet there's a BIG GAP between the 11am and 6pm services. So how are they in church all day when there's this long gap b/w seeing each other Huh

And if they insist that our hearts need to be with God and church 100% on Sundays, then does this mean Christians can watch college football and "NCIS" marathon reruns all day on Saturdays, b/c Christians aren't under the OT sabbath law any more? Undecided

Yeah, it seems like 99% of today's NT church isn't your average church.
Report Spam   Logged
Kilika
Guest
« Reply #16 on: March 04, 2013, 02:35:48 am »

 Grin No, they are not.

We know the whole church building thing is a lie. So that goes in one ear and out the other. They can babble that all day long and it means nothing.

"Church" membership biblical? Depends on how you put it. No, because we become sons and joint heirs, not members in the worldly sense. We are "members of one body" though.

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Galatians 5:13 (KJB)

Not sure how those groups do their memberships and determine if a person is ready to be baptized, but though they seem to take time in making sure a person is ready and serious, they don't feed them spiritually, and what they do feed them is garbage, so usually it seems they make sure the person understands how to be a member in their church, rules and all, rather than preaching salvation.

But yes, a person becoming saved isn't an overnight thing. The new believer needs to be fed spiritually milk (by a mature Christian who is experienced in the Word), so their faith and understanding can grow. As it says, "train up a child in the way he should go..."

Personally, I feel if a person wants a water baptism (full immersion), then so be it as it serves as a public declaration of the person's desire to repent and serve God, but they must learn that is NOT the baptism we get baptized with. It's a spiritual baptism of the Holy Ghost. Its circumcision of the heart and not of the letter. Then, after some time in the scriptures, at some point the person will with all their heart truly believe and will receive the Spirit "not many days hence".

Deciding that the bible is true, and wanting to be saved is just the start. We are truly born-again when we receive the Holy Ghost, which doesn't happen immediately, and it varies with each person as to how long that takes. But the person will know when it happens. God changes us when He gives us of His Spirit, and we are changed.

1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5  When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6  And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 19:1-6 (KJB)
« Last Edit: March 04, 2013, 02:37:23 am by Kilika » Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2013, 12:03:06 pm »

First off, from what I read, 501c3 churches get special tax benefits if they perform functions like weddings and funerals(like in this article).

Anyhow - not sure if everyone's familiar with Van Cliburn, but he's a well known pianist who died last week, and is from my backyard here in North Texas(where the funeral was held). The article doesn't mention it, but the article in the Dallas Morning News today says he had a male "partner", and the church that did the funeral is called Broadway Baptist Church.

I know the love of money is the root of all evil, but it seems like the modern-day church, albeit in particular BAPTIST ones, now is getting desperate to market themselves to the world to get bigger pew numbers. And even worse honoring a homosexual, loved by the world celebrity shouldn't bode well either.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20130302-hundreds-pay-respects-to-pianist-van-cliburn-at-visitation-services-in-fort-worth.ece

3/2/13
Hundreds pay respects to pianist Van Cliburn at visitation services in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH — Hundreds of people attended a visitation for beloved concert pianist Van Cliburn on Saturday, recalling him not only as a giant of classical music but also as a warm individual who made a lasting impression on seemingly everyone he met.

The funeral will be held Sunday for Cliburn, 78, who died Wednesday of bone cancer at his mansion in Fort Worth’s Westover Hills suburb. His service, as was his visitation, will be at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

José Feghali, winner of the 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, was among many who spoke effusively of Cliburn’s impact.

“I had grown up not only hearing him play, but also knowing the incredible story of him going to Russia and being an American and winning the competition,” Feghali said. “He’s beyond any other person I have known in the world of music and arts historically.”

Feghali, who was in the middle of a South American concert tour when he learned of Cliburn’s death, will serve as an honorary pallbearer Sunday.

A common recollection shared Saturday was how Cliburn left a lasting impression on those he spoke to.

“A personal relationship began with Van the moment you met,” said Tom Stoker, funeral chorus conductor and a friend of Cliburn’s since 1985.

Those moments, however brief, stuck with visitation guests, including 26-year-old Justin Anderson of Fort Worth.

“He’s so warm and so caring, even though he only spoke to me for several minutes,” said Anderson, who plays piano as a hobby. “And when he shakes your hands, he makes you feel tiny.”

Others agreed that Cliburn had tremendous charm.

“It’s almost impossible to describe what he meant to the symphony and to the classical music world,” said Fort Worth Symphony president Amy Adkins. She added: “Every time you spoke to him, he made you feel like you were the only person in the room.”

A 4-foot wreath from former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, sat on the altar behind Cliburn’s closed casket. Bush, who is scheduled to speak at Sunday’s funeral, awarded Cliburn the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.

Before guests began filing into the sanctuary Saturday, a rehearsal of the music for Sunday’s funeral took place with Stoker as conductor.

His message to the orchestra was brief but powerful.

“We have all been able to make music in the chapel because of this man,” he said of Cliburn. “We stand on his shoulders, those tall, tall, tall, tall shoulders.”

After the rehearsal, Stoker reflected on Cliburn’s heart for music and the church.

“The generation is passing that understood what Van did to our lives,” Stoker said. “He launched the profession and orchestra into a new era. And we have all stood on his shoulders because of that.”

Stoker, one of many guest musicians and conductors for the funeral, said he is looking forward to the chance to honor his longtime friend.

“He told me, ‘Go live your dreams,’” Stoker said. “It is my greatest honor to do this [concert]. It is the last thing I can do through him.”
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2013, 12:08:44 pm »

Just saw Broadway Baptist Church's web site...Yuck, to say the least! Mixing in alot of "contemporary" stuff with the traditional things. And to boot don't see any Christian symbols like crosses on their site as well.

As for them honoring Cliburn like he was some honorable man?

Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luk 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luk 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luk 16:29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #19 on: April 01, 2013, 01:18:28 pm »

When I got saved back in 2006, I started reading a lot of CS Lewis's books - didn't know he was a Luciferian at the time, but I was a math major in college, and he used a lot of the philosophy talk to try to get points across(which tickled my ears, to say the least).

Anyhow - in one of his writings, he said how the church(building) is where God's voice is heard, and Satan will do everything to keep people OUT of those buildings where God's voice is heard within.

Pt being that as you can see, even Luciferians like Lewis endorse the whole organized church building system. To be frank, don't recall him saying how the word of God(the bible) is where God's voice is heard instead.
Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #20 on: April 02, 2013, 01:59:10 am »

When i think of CS Lewis i think of fables!

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Titus 1:14   Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

the word "fables" being 5 times in the KJV
Report Spam   Logged
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #21 on: May 23, 2013, 12:10:29 am »

Report Spam   Logged
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2013, 06:00:02 am »

The Gospel of Bark: Sheboygan church unleashes dog-friendly services (with video, photos)

Some pastors will say there is no biblical support that all dogs go to heaven.

But the Rev. Ann Bullis, pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, 823 Union Ave., said she believes the faithful pets will have a future heavenly home.

“Dogs go to heaven,” Bullis said. “What would (heaven) be without our dogs? Heaven is supposed to be a happy place.”

Not only do the animals have a place in heaven, she says, but they now also have a place among Wesley congregants on Sunday mornings.

The southside Sheboygan church allows congregants to bring their pets to the 9 a.m. Sunday church service and, so far, a handful of congregants have chosen to bring their dogs to worship, Bullis said.

“About two months ago (some congregants) came up to me and said, ‘Boy, I wish I could bring my pet to church. Can we bring our pets to church?’” Bullis said. “And we said, ‘Why not?’ We couldn’t come up with a reason why not.”

When she introduced the concept to the congregation, Bullis said no one had any qualms with the idea. Even the couple of congregants who have allergies weren’t bothered by it, she said, since the dog owners sit in the back of the church.

Louise Hansen, 62, one of the congregants who made the initial request of Bullis, said she and her husband have brought their Bichon Frisés, Libby and Dolly, to church on a couple of occasions.

“They’re very much a part of my life and I consider them familymembers,” Hansen said. “They’re a real blessing and God truly cares about animals. ... I always refer back to Noah and God saving his family and the animals from the flood and I always feel that animals reflect the unconditional love that God has for his children.”

Todd Hueppchen, 49, said his Golden Retriever, Diego, is like a family member to him as well and for that reason, he was happy to be able to bring him to church.

“He pretty much goes everywhere with me,” Hueppchen said. “I take him to the nursing home. We go on walks together every day and I work from home so he’s with me there, too. ... Now I can actually bring my dog (to church) and I don’t have to have him sit at home alone and he can be part of the whole thing.”

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013306050511&nclick_check=1
Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2013, 10:51:37 am »

Sometimes I wonder if our pets, and even the animals in this world will be in heaven with us.

While I can't find any scriptures to support it, at the same time I can't find any scriptures to say it won't happen.
Report Spam   Logged
McChristian
Guest
« Reply #24 on: June 12, 2013, 03:50:54 pm »

The Gospel of Bark: Sheboygan church unleashes dog-friendly services (with video, photos)
But the Rev. Ann Bullis, pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, 823 Union Ave., said she believes the faithful pets will have a future heavenly home.

Unbiblical Position: reverend, appears its a female leading a co-ed service, a male should be the pastor in that scenario.
Report Spam   Logged
Kilika
Guest
« Reply #25 on: June 12, 2013, 04:01:51 pm »

39  All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds.
40  [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.
41  [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory.
1 Corinthians 15:39-41 (KJB)


Agreed, there is no mention of animals we know of that are, or go to, heaven. There are heavenly, angelic-type beings mentioned in Revelation, but those are not your standard animal.

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8 (KJB)

Personally, I don't think our "pets" go to heaven. As scripture says, they simply are different flesh, you might say a kind of pre-programmed creation designed to be nothing more than a dog, cat, cow, etc.

It's a New Age type ideology that pushes animals having souls. I see zero evidence in scripture to suggest such nonsense. Feelings and emotions, sure. Yes, they definitely feel pain, etc, but that isn't an indication to me of a soul in an animal.

20  And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
22  And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
23  And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24  And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25  And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27  So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1:20-31 (KJB)


19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.
20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
Genesis 2:19,20 (KJB)


17  Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
18  And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:
19  Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, [and] whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20  And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21  And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:17-22 (KJB)


From what I read, if it's any indication, it may be that animals are made from the earth like man, but that's the only similarities I find so far.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2013, 04:05:18 pm by Kilika » Report Spam   Logged
Christian40
Moderators
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3836


View Profile
« Reply #26 on: June 13, 2013, 03:40:34 am »

^^

That is a good answer with the verses. Heaven is all about the Lord, there are angels, saints, precious stones, mansions, but these are not the main focus, the Lord is very important in Heaven and it will be about praising and serving Him, it does not matter if there are animals there or not, if someone asks you are there animals in Heaven? Just say: please tell me more about the Lord.
Report Spam   Logged
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2013, 05:53:25 am »

Cowboy Church: With Rodeo Arena, They 'Do Church Different'

It's Sunday morning at the Cowboy Church of Santa Fe County, N.M. You know you're there because of the chuck wagon parked by the highway.

You couldn't find a more nonreligious-looking building. The church is a charmless metal warehouse on a concrete slab. Inside, the altar is decorated like a set from a 1950s western — complete with saddles, hats, boots, a lasso and wagon wheel.

The band has just kicked off with "I Think God Must Be a Cowboy at Heart," and about 30 people in folding chairs are tapping their feet.

The pastor, Steve "Doc" Timmons, a husky, 57-year-old Arkansan in jeans, boots and a straw hat, announces the theme of the sermon. "So here's this morning's eight-second ride," he tells the congregants. "The history books of the Old Testament make one thing crystal clear: It is impossible for man to keep the Mosaic law."

Steve "Doc" Timmons is pastor of the Cowboy Church of Santa Fe County, N.M.. "In a lot of ways it's what you would call unchurchy," he says of the cowboy church movement.
John Burnett/NPR

There's no collection plate, no stained glass and no altar call to give your life to Jesus. But only a few folks in the congregation look like they ever sat on a horse. The rest could be baristas or CPAs, attired in jeans and bolo ties.

'A Total Lack Of Pretentiousness'

"It was finding a home for me after going to a lot of different churches through the years," says Steve Meador, 63, a Teamster and wrangler for the movie industry, who is leaning against a post outside. He's been coming to the Santa Fe Cowboy Church for two years, making him a founding member.

"What I found with this Cowboy Church is a group of people that are very serious about their relationship with Jesus Christ, and a total lack of pretentiousness," Meador says.

Indeed, no one here is in their Sunday best. "People are so friendly, you don't have to dress like you're going to a celebrity ball. Just come as you are. You just let your faith come out," says Martha Cannon, a state telephone operator and great-grandmother wearing a denim prairie skirt.

Timmons spent 25 years as a crisis intervention consultant working in disaster zones around the world. This is his first pulpit, and he says he wouldn't be anywhere else.

"In a lot of ways, it's what you would call unchurchy. It's a simple way of doing church. It's more about relationship than it is about religion. And I think that's why these churches have been exploding," Timmons says.

Nobody actually knows how many cowboy churches there are, because, by nature, this house of worship is — like its namesake — ruggedly independent. A website directory of cowboy churches lists more than 400 in 36 states, but church leaders say there are many more than that. They range from the Hope Corral Cowboy Church in Milton, Fla., to the Cowboy Church of Anchorage, Alaska, to the Barbwire Halo Cowboy Church in Gilmer, Texas. What's more, there are eight cowboy churches in Canada and two in Australia.

Attracting Non-Churchgoers

Texas has far more than any other state. There are so many cowboy churches in the Lone Star State that Baylor University's Truett Seminary and Dallas Baptist University now offer courses in cowboy church leadership.

"Cowboy church is a little unconventional," says Rick Penner, associate pastor of Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney, northwest of Waco. "Our sanctuary is really situated more like a barn than a fancy church building. Ours is built out of barn wood and steel. Up until recently we had hay bales for people to sit on, but the scorpions got a little bad in there with the hay bales."

A distinguishing feature of a cowboy church is the rodeo arena on the grounds. Conventional churches have family life centers; most cowboy churches have places to rope and ride. At Open Range Cowboy Church, two of the most popular activities are barrel racing and junior sheep riding, known as "mutton busting."

"Little kids, under 55 pounds, they put on helmets and vests and ... when they ride that sheep, these little boys are living their 6-year-old dream as a cowboy," Penner says with a chuckle.

Cowboy churches solve a problem for evangelical churches suffering from sagging attendance. They attract the "unchurched": those who never went to church or stopped going long ago.

In Texas, traditional Baptist churches have been planting new cowboy churches across town, and in some instances the new congregation has outdistanced the parent church. In Waxahachie, south of Dallas, First Baptist Church — with an attendance of 500 — started the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, which now has a Sunday attendance of 1,700. It is now known as the world's largest Cowboy Church.

Cowboy churches are not for everybody, but whatever they're doing, it appears to be catching on in a big way.

"One thing about the traditional churches is they're going to have to change if they're going to survive," says Charles Higgs, coordinator of the Western Heritage program for Texas Baptists, which has helped fund many cowboy churches. "They're going to have to go beyond their walls and do church different."

http://www.npr.org/2013/09/01/217268202/cowboy-church-with-rodeo-arena-they-do-church-different?ft=1&f=1016&utm
Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
Psalm 51:17
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 28357


View Profile
« Reply #28 on: September 03, 2013, 10:45:07 am »

Yeah, Cowboy Churches seem to be growing in popularity here in Texas over the last 5 or so years - I remember reading about it in the paper 4 years ago, and they do things that are pretty questionable(at best). One of the things they do is LIMIT the pastor's sermon to only 30 minutes. This has been one of the big problems of having a church building, in general - b/c they have to please everyone, they have time limits on just about everything.

Quote
There's no collection plate, no stained glass and no altar call to give your life to Jesus. But only a few folks in the congregation look like they ever sat on a horse. The rest could be baristas or CPAs, attired in jeans and bolo ties.

Which is a GOOD thing on their part(as much as I hate to say it) - "tithing" is unbiblical to begin with, and those offering plates only push them against their wills to give so. Alter calls are unbiblical as well, b/c it's only the Holy Spirit that draws the person, and not man.

With that being said - this pretty much has been the game of the Emergent/Postmodernism philosophies - to go against EVERYTHING these "traditional" church buildings have done for years and years. So pretty much you can see a Hegelian Dialectic going on b/w these "traditional" church buildings and these "postmodernism" church buildings.

Quote
Cowboy churches solve a problem for evangelical churches suffering from sagging attendance. They attract the "unchurched": those who never went to church or stopped going long ago.

"unchurched" as been a buzzword the Emergent/Postmodernism theologies have used - the word in the KJV is LOST. If someone is not a believer of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, shedding his blood to pay for our sin debt in full, then he/she is LOST.

And also - this seems to be a pattern in our present day going on - while some of these "traditional" church buildings(whether they're SBC, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, or any of the "older" Protestant denominations) have declined in attendance, a lot of these seeker-sensitive megachurches, Cowboy Churches, "social justice" churches, and pretty much anything that is *New* have INCREASED in attendance.

Pretty much while one reprobate system has declined, another more reprobate system has increased.
Report Spam   Logged
Mark
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 21786



View Profile
« Reply #29 on: November 04, 2013, 06:16:31 am »

Bibles and Booze: Congregations Across America Attempting to Attract New Members With Beer

A new report released by NPR outlines that a number of congregations across America are now using beer as a way to attract new members.
 
The effort is an experiment in finding methods that will appeal to those who otherwise would not set foot in a church. Some beer-based gatherings are held right in the the church building, and others are hosted at the local pub.
 
One of the locations highlighted in the report is Fort Worth, Texas, where Church-in-a-pub, sponsored by “Pastor” Phil Heinze of Calvary Lutheran Church, is held each week at the local bar.
 
“I find the love, I find the support, I find the non-judgmental eyes when I come here,” attendee Leah Stanfield told the publication. “And I find friends that love God [and] love craft beer.”

Approximately 30-40 people meet for the weekly gathering, which includes Bible readings, fellowship and communion–all over pizza and beer at Zio Carlo pub.
 
The Regional Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently recognized Church-in-a-pub as a synodically authorized worshiping community. In 2014, another area “pastor” plans to expand the concept throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
 
While Calvary Lutheran Church holds their gathering in a bar, the First Christian Church of Portland, Oregon hosts a monthly “beer and hymns” night at the church building, where congregants get together to sing hymns, talk and drink beer.

NPR tells the story of one transgender attendee who got up to speak at a recent event, announcing that he was raised in a church that told him that animals don’t have souls. However, because his dog had recently died, he wanted to sing a song that night in church in honor of his dog.
 
“I want to sing this song in defiance of that because Gunner was my friend,” he stated to those gathered as they sipped beer. “And he has emotions and a personality, and I had a relationship with him that’s as real as any relationship I had with any human being.”
 
The Wall Street Journal covered a similar story earlier this year in highlighting the new trend, introducing its readers to a Saturday night gathering held by Pastor Matt Bistayi, who started Valley Church in Allendale, Michigan.
 
“My name is Darin,” the music director announced to those present. “And I like me a 30-pack of Busch Light!”
 
The group, which holds to the motto, ”What Would Jesus Brew?” then began to applaud.
 
For some congregations, instead of beer, cigars are offered to potential members. As previously reported, Eric Van Scyoc of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Rocky River, Ohio calls his gathering the “Smokin’ Bible Study,” where men assemble in the back room of Cigar Cigars and smoke stogies as they study the word of God. He says that he has been leading the studies at the location for approximately three years.
 
“It’s a chance to bring the Bible out from the walls of the church,” Van Scyoc told The Plain Dealer.
 
He explained that when he was approached by the owner of Cigar Cigars to lead the study, he was reluctant at first, but since no one in the church had a problem with the idea, he accepted.
 
“Some women have said to us, ‘I’m going to come by because it shouldn’t be just for men,’” Van Scyoc explained. “They’re certainly welcome, but so far, none of them have come by.”
 
However, some pastors have expressed great concern and caution over increasing attempts to reinvent church—using carnal methods to attract men.
 
“Rather than relating with people by becoming like people, the Church is to present the glory of God,” Scott Brown of the Center for Family Integrated Churches told Christian News Network. “When people come into the church, they should see a completely new kingdom, a completely new community. They should see how different God is than they are and how much more wonderful He is, and how His ways are much more beautiful than their ways.”
 
Pastor Eric Ludy, President of Ellerslie Mission Society, has made similar statements in expressing his concerns about the Church seeking to attract the world by appearing “cool.”
 
“The problem is Jesus wasn’t cool. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, Jesus didn’t do it the world’s way. He came in and offended the world,” he told reporters. “He came in and did everything the wrong way. … We actually want to indict Jesus and say, ‘You know what? If you had known as much as we know you would have done it differently.’ We want to appeal to the world’s sensibilities and somehow draw them to the Gospel. Jesus didn’t do any of that.”
 
“The Bible says, ‘Raise Him up and He will draw all men unto Himself,’” he continued. “The key is we lift up the Gospel. We give the straight and narrow path. We give it undiluted and people will start respecting us because we are not giving them something that will tantalize the flesh. We are giving them something that will bring life to their spirit.”

http://christiannews.net/2013/11/03/bibles-and-booze-congregations-across-america-attempting-to-attract-new-members-with-beer/
Report Spam   Logged

What can you do for Jesus?  Learn what 1 person can accomplish.

The Man from George Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Bookmark this site! | Upgrade This Forum
Free SMF Hosting - Create your own Forum

Powered by SMF | SMF © 2016, Simple Machines
Privacy Policy